Have we found a cure for HIV at last?

HIV may soon be a curable disease. At least the recent case of The London Patient would have us hope so. While medical advancement is sure to come up with a ray of hope for HIV patients, we tell you how to take care of yourself at home if you are infected by this deadly virus.

Remember Timothy Ray Brown? Better known as The Berlin Patient, he is the first person known to be cured of HIV infection, thanks to stem cell transplant. But his case is no more unique. About a decade later, another man, called The London Patient, has been cured of this deadly infection with the help of a similar transplant from a donor who has HIV-resistant cells. HIV-resistant cells are those that carry a mutation in their genes for CCR5, a protein resting on the surface. According to doctors many HIV strains are dependent on CCR5 to infect cells.

Both these HIV-positive patients were being treated for their cancerous bone marrow cells with toxic chemicals before the transplant. However, after the stem cell therapy both have stopped taking HIV medication. Reports suggest that Brown is unaffected so far and no HIV has been detected in the blood of The London Patient since the last 18 months.

While the cases of these two HIV patients are cues to a potential treatment strategy for this hitherto untreatable condition, we tell you ways to take care of yourself at home if you are infected by this deadly virus.

Educate yourself: Testing positive for HIV can leave you overwhelmed with questions, concerns and fears. Lack of knowledge can only worsen your fears and misguide you about what you should expect and what you shouldn’t. Be an informed patient to manage your condition better along with your physician. Read as many journals and articles as you can, on HIV. This will help you dissociate facts from myths about the condition and help you ask the right questions to your doctor.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol: “An HIV infection weakens your immune system increasing your vulnerability to other ailments. Smoking damages your lungs and many other parts of the body and makes it easier for germs to invade your body. Alcohol is particularly harmful to the liver. It increases your susceptibility to infections and destroys vitamins in the body,” says Dr. Vinod Raina, sexologist at Dr. Raina’s Safe Hands Multispeciality Poly Clinic, Delhi.

Avoid other infections: “HIV destroys immune cells gradually and throws the immune system out of balance. This makes it difficult for the body to fight off other infections. And, that is why even a minor infection can be fatal for HIV patients. Therefore, if you are tested positive for HIV, the first thing you need to do is to try to keep other infections at bay, or else, your risk of AIDS goes up. So, make sure that you do not skip any of the recommended vaccinations. Also, wash your hands often, avoid sharing your personal belongings or using somebody else’s. Wear rubber gloves before touching any waste,” says Dr. Raina.

Eat mindfully: Being an HIV patient, it is extremely important for you to keep your immune system strong as it is already compromised. Food plays a crucial role in improving the function of your immune cells. So make sure your diet is rich in immunity-boosting foods including orange, lemon, grapefruit, red bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, garlic, yogurt, almonds, green tea, and papaya. Go for whole grains as they are rich in vitamin B and fibre, which reduce your chance of fat deposition, a common side effect of HIV. You need to limit your sugar and salt intake also as a precautionary measure against heart diseases. HIV and its treatment elevates your risk of cardiovascular issues. Talk to your doctor for dietary recommendations for salt and sugar.

Be extra cautious about open wounds: In case you have an open wound or a bruise, clean it properly, apply antibiotic ointment and don’t forget to cover it up. HIV being a blood-borne virus, it can be transmitted from your blood to the blood of another person. If the fluid from an HIV-infected person’s injury comes in contact with the open wound of a person without this virus, then the chances of transmission are very high.

Deal with dermatological issues: Due to a compromised immune system, an HIV patient is more susceptible to skin diseases caused by viruses. These skin conditions include are Kaposi’s sarcoma (a type of cancer that is caused by a virus known as herpes and occurs on the skin and mucous membranes), molluscum contagiosum (a viral skin infection that results in firm, round, and painless bumps) and shingles (a viral infection that causes painful rashes), among others. In fact, certain dermatological conditions can be the first sign of the presence of HIV in your blood.

Indulge in daily exercise: A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has revealed that daily exercise can potentially boost your immune system. The scientists explain that each round of exercise causes a brief increase in immune system activity. This increases the numbers of white blood cells and immunoglobulin in the blood, which reduce a person’s susceptibility to diseases. According to doctors, daily workouts can help you feel better and fight the side-effects of HIV disease and medications.

Take care of your emotional health: Apart from taking a toll on your physical health, HIV infection can affect you psychologically too. Depression is common in HIV positive patients, thanks to the stigma attached with the condition, rejection from the society and side effects of the medicines. Talk to your doctor about it so that he may suggest antidepressants. Also, it is very important to talk to your family members and friends for emotional support. Joining a support group (online or offline) of HIV patients to share experiences will go a long way in keeping you positive through the journey. Consult a psychologist if need be.

With inputs from Juhi Kumari

Published: March 6, 2019 7:45 pm | Updated:March 7, 2019 10:42 pm

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